Download The Middle Ages - Smyrna Middle School

Bellwork: True or False. If the
statement is false, correct it.
1. Mesopotamia is a Greek word that means
“ between the lakes.”
2. The writing system of the Sumerians was
known as hieroglyphics.
3. Hammurabi is best known for his legal
code.
4. The Classical Period is the period of time
that includes the development of
Mesopotamia.
The Development of
Feudalism
Western Europe During the Early
Middle Ages
Europe had no central government or
system of defense.
Many invading groups set up kingdoms
throughout western Europe.
Kingdoms were often at war with each
other.
Most powerful rulers controlled the most
land and had the best warriors.
The Franks
Controlled land now modern-day France
Had warriors who fought on horseback
Created the feudal system (feudalism)
Clovis
– King of Franks
– Christian, helped spread Christianity
• Roman Catholic Church – the Christian church
headed by the pope in Rome
Charlemagne (Charles the Great)
Most important leader of the Franks
Ruled for over 40 years
Unified nearly all Christian lands of Europe into
one empire
Received help from the Roman Catholic Church
Crowned “Holy Roman Emperor”
Encouraged education and scholarship; built many
schools throughout his empire
Upon his death, his empire fell under constant
attack
A Need for Order and Protection
Three main groups of invaders:
– Muslims: from the Near East and northern
Africa; attacked through Iberian Peninsula
– Magyars: from central Asia; attacked from the
east
– Vikings: from the Scandinavian Peninsula;
attacked from the north, used shallow boats to
navigate the rivers
Feudalism
Provided people protection and safety by
establishing a stable social order
System of promises: LOYALTY
Bound by contracts
Social Order
Monarch (King/Queen): owns all the land in the
kingdom; keeps some land for self and gave fiefs
to most important lords
Lords: promised loyalty and service to the
monarch in exchange for land
Knights: promised loyalty and service to the lord
in exchange for land
Peasants: serfs; farmed the lord/knight’s land in
exchange for a small plot of land to live on
Monarchs
King or Queen
At the top of feudal society (members of the
nobility)
Must keep order and provide protection for
the kingdom
Divine right of kings: the idea that God had
given them the right to rule
Lords and Ladies
Members of the nobility, the highestranking social class
Lived on manors (large houses or castles)
Responsible for defending land and people
on it
Lived a privileged life
Knights
Many years of training to become a knight
Page: servant, learned how to ride a horse
and received religious instruction
Squire: spent time with the knight who was
his lord; polished the armor, sword, shield;
trained to be a warrior
Knight: kneels before lord and pledges
loyalty
Knight’s Responsibilities
Protect the land and people
Chivalry: code of behavior
–
–
–
–
Be loyal to church and their lord
Be fair and just
Protect the helpless
Respect women (acts of kindness and courtesy)
Jousting and tournaments
– Sporting events designed to show strength and
skill
Peasants
Largest class of people
Worked the land: raised crops, tended livestock,
carpenters, shoemakers, metalworkers, and other
skilled jobs
Two types: free and unfree
– Free: rented land to farm and owed only rent to the
lord
– Unfree: serfs, farmed the lord’s fields and could not
leave the manor; received small plot of land to live on
and farm in return
Manors
Homes of wealthy lords and knights
Included castle or manor house, one or
more villages, and surrounding farm land
Peasants (serfs) produced everything the
people on the manor needed: food, tools,
clothing
William the Conqueror
Powerful Duke of Normandy (a part of
present-day France)
Believed he had a right to the English
throne
Invaded England and crowned himself king
Brought feudalism to England